Amp gauge wiring...gt v sweep dash

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Amp gauge wiring...gt v sweep dash

Postby BBM66 » Mon Apr 22, 2013 10:45 pm

I am converting my stock sweep dash out of my 73 Vega, to a GT dash. The stock dash has a dummy light with one wire going to it. The GT dash has a black/white wire AND a solid black wire going to it. So, here's the question: does the black/white wire connect to the single wire from the sweep dash and the black wire to a common ground......or??? Your help is appreciated here...thank you!!
The Fleet:
1963 Chevrolet Impala-Miss Jean Marie
1973 Vega Hatchback
1995 Honda Civic
1965 Chevy C-10 Pickup
2004 F-350 Super Duty
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Re: Amp gauge wiring...gt v sweep dash

Postby spencerforhire » Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:18 am

Although black wires are usually reserved for grounds, in this case it is not. Things would sure get exciting if you did wire it that way; do you own a fire extinguisher? All the power for the whole electrical system(except the starter) flows through the ammeter in the early GT dash on the black and black white pair that originate under the hood. if you're not changing that harness as well, one or both will be dead anyway.
If you're adding any amount of extra load to you electrical system(fan, pump, lights, stereo), and/or upgrading the alternator, I strongly suggest you leave the ammeter disconnected; honestly it's a fire hazard. By the mid 70's, ammeters were replaced by voltmeters in the Vega GT dash and most every other vehicle.
There is still a "charge" or "battery" light in the GT dash; it needs to be hooked up to the existing wire so the alternator will charge.
On one of the first Vegas I converted to a GT dash I removed the ammeter and replaced it with an aftermarket volt gauge; much safer.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

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1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

Re: Amp gauge wiring...gt v sweep dash

Postby BBM66 » Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:00 pm


Geez, glad i asked!! Thanks for the great info sir. I took the amp meter out tonite and, after some serious contemplation and looking over the other gauges, I think I have decided to go aftermarket gauges all around. Gonna look at Auto meter and see whats available. Only drawback I can see is the 0-90 ohm fuel gauge...seems those are a bit difficult to find in a matching set with oil, water, volts, speedometer and tach. Hotrods sure are fun! Thanks again for the help!
Bill
The Fleet:
1963 Chevrolet Impala-Miss Jean Marie
1973 Vega Hatchback
1995 Honda Civic
1965 Chevy C-10 Pickup
2004 F-350 Super Duty
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Re: Amp gauge wiring...gt v sweep dash

Postby firebird77clone » Sun May 05, 2013 6:56 pm

Forget the amps guage. They have a habit of burning up, even if correctly wired.

Use a volts guage, the voltage is more important than amperage anyway.

Volts guage is easier to wire, safer, and better information.
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